ainscough



(No Model.) I s sheets-#sheet 1.

T.. A. AINSCOUGH. RAILWAY GAR BRAKE-l No. 503, 27.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

T. A. AINSGOUGH. RAILWAY GAR BRAKE.

No. 503,027. Patented Aug'. 8,A 1893.

f1: Ilm

wo. .fv e au h s S .fu nu e h S 3 ER -GM UR 0B Ubu... SA NG AA .W AE .A TR

(No Model.)

Patented Aug 8 1893.

1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS ATKINSON AINSCOUGLLHOF MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO CHARLES NAPIER'AINSCOUGH AND JAMES AINSCOUGH,

OF SAME PLACE.

RAiLwAY-'CAR BRAKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 503,027, dated August 8, 1893.

Application ined Aprn 25, laas. 'serai No. 471,783. (No moda.)

1o rying, regulating and applying the brake blocks which are used in connection with the wheels of railway engines, carriages, and trucks, the principal objects of the invention being to prevent unnecessary wear of such brake blocks due to the rising and falling of the body or frame of the carriage upon the springs (which motion is vertical) from drawing the lower or upper edges of the brake block against the peripheryA of the wheel,

zo thereby not only unnecessarily wearing away the blocks,but also materially increasing the draft owing to the friction.

The nature of the said invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed or carried into practical effect will be readily understood on reference to the three sheets of drawings hereunto annexed and the following explanation thereof. p

Figure 1 on the drawings is a sideelevation 3o of part of the frame, wheel, and axle box of a railway carriage showing the application of the invention thereto, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same as seen from beneath. Figs. l, 3 and 4 illustrate modifications hereinafter described.

o, is part of the wooden frame of the carriage or truck, b the wheel, c the axle box, d the spring, and e the brake blocks.

For the purposes of my invention I not only 4o support each brake block e by the usual hanger f suspended from thebody of the carriage, but I also connect it by a radius arm g to the axle b'ox Vc so that as the brake block e rises and falls with the carriage,l instead of movingin a perpendicular direction, as heretofore, it rises and fallsin a Vcurved direction corresponding with the circumference of the wheel, so that no part of its surface is brought into contact with the wheel by the ordinary spring motion of the carriage. This radius arm gis not rigid, or it would not allow of the brakes being put on when required, but is made in two parts sliding telescopically, and provided with a coiled spring h (see Fig. 2) so as to allow of the arm g being shortened when the brakes are applied in the usual manner, and returning it to its original length vwhen the brakes are released.

One end of each radius arm g may be pivoted to each side of the axle box, at the points c' (see diagram Fig. 3) or they may both be pivoted at the central point cX (see diagram Fig. 4) so that their action will be that of a radius moving round the center or axis c of the wheel, but in applying the same to carriages or trucks already in use I prefer to obtain this radial action in the manner shown at Fig. l on the drawings, so that it is only necessary to drill and tap one hole in the bottom of the axle box' for attaching the fixing i thereto. This fixing 1I carries a pin k working in a curved slot in each of the cranked pieces g attached toor forming part of the radial arms g, and the action of these curved slots on the fixed pin cvwill give the arms g the same radial action 'as though they were pivoted on the axis cx, the crank of each arm at c being fitted with a bowl which works up and down vertically in contact with the side of the axle box.

The outer end of each arm g is attached to a fixing l bolted to the brake block e one of the bolts Z acting as the stud or pin which connects the hangerf to the brake block e, so

that the latter cannot rock or swing upon the connecting in or bolt but is kept quite firm, and compelled to rise and fall in a curve corresponding with the rim of the wheel, and at a definite distance therefrom'. Instead of connecting the fixing lby two bolts it may be connected by one loolt only at the top (as shown on detached side view Fig. 1") and be provided with a steady-pin' or stud Z` which takes into a hole made in the brake block for that purpose.

The outer end of each radius arm g is screwed, and adjusting nuts m are provided to set the block e nearer to the circumference Worn away.

The advantages of this radial arm brake regulator are as folloWs:--(First.) It prevents the brake rigging from swin ging to and fro on the pivots andcenters,thussavingallthestuds, bolts, pins, and holes from unnecessary Wear. (Second.) It prevents the brake block from rocking on its centers, thus keeping the upper and lower edges from bearing against the wheels, and keeps the block always square and ata definite distance from the wheel under all circumstances. (Third.) It thus greatly reduces the unnecessary friction and minimizes the draft thereby saving Wear and tear, steam and fuel, to a very considerable extent. (Fourth.) With the vacuum, air or steam brake it also allows of a very close but free adj ustment of the block to the wheel and hence reduces the distance which the piston is 1'e quired to travel in putting on the'brake, and thus effects a great saving in the time required reoaoar to apply the brake effectively, and stops the train in a much shorter distance.

l claim- The combination with the brake block, of an arm so arranged that it Works in a radial direction on the axis of the wheel as a center, thereby causing the brake block to move always in a curve parallel to and equidistant from the circumference of the Wheel or nearly so, the said arm being provided with means for contraction and extensionin the direction of its length to allow of the application and withdrawal of the block to and from the periphery of the Wheehsubstantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS ATKINSON AINSCOUGII.

Witnesses:

GEORGE DAvIEs, JNO. HUGHES. 

